Pribumi lodges police report over Ramadan bazaar allegations

PETALING JAYA: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Pribumi) has lodged a police report to investigate claims that a youth leader misused his political powers to overcharge Ramadan bazaar traders in Kuala Lumpur.

Pribumi Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has also lodged a complaint with the party's Discipline Committee over the allegations that Bukit Bintang youth leader Mohd Noorhisyam Abdul Karim abused his power.

"We have already invited the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and the police to look into this matter," Syed Saddiq told The Star on Saturday (June 16).

A copy of the police report shared with The Star showed that it was lodged by Pribumi supreme council member Dr Muhammad Faiz Na'aman on June 14, the day the scandal first broke.

"If there is any wrongdoing, regardless of the person or his affiliation to the party we need to act and we need to act very swiftly, I hope that justice will come," Syed Saddiq said. 

The Muar MP said a few others have also lodged similar police reports.

He is also in touch with the affected traders who have corroborated a Malaysiakini report alleging that there was exploitation in the collection of rental fees.

"However, the traders mentioned a different name in terms of who collected the rental fees from them. So, I am not sure whether this person is a middle man or the brain behind it (the controversy)," Syed Saddiq said.

"There is definitely some hanky panky going around," he added.

Mohd Noorhisyam is accused of collecting up to RM5,000 from bazaar traders in Jalan Masjid India after allegedly misusing his political connections to secure 80 bazaar lots from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

A letter from DBKL to Mohd Noorhisyam showed that 80 lots were approved for nine days for only RM6,238.

Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun's name has also been dragged into the controversy as he wrote a letter to DBKL supporting Mohd Noorhisyam's application to rent the Ramadan bazaar lots.

Both Mohd Noorhisyam and Fong have denied receiving the money.

Fong is reportedly mulling legal action against Mohd Noorhisyam.